Milton, a charming town in Southern Ontario, located just under an hour from Toronto, offers a mix of small-town charm and outdoor adventure. Its lush parks, downtown main street and historic town hall make for a perfect getaway. Since we visited in summer, it was the ideal time to visit the lavender farms where the sights and scents of fresh blooms fill the air. The Kelso Conservation Area, with its panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment, lakes, and scenic trails, is another draw. Read on to know about the best things to do in Milton and Kelso, Ontario.
Driving from Toronto to Milton, Ontario
It is around noon that we leave our Downtown Toronto home and drive to Milton. The plan is first to visit Milton and then visit the Lavender Farms and Kelso Conservation Area, if time permits. As we drive closer to Milton, we see a water tank with the word ‘MILTON’ written. Rafiq parks near Milton’s Downtown Area, and we begin our exploration of Milton.
Rotary Park, Milton
We stroll briefly through Rotary Park, which features a swimming pool, baseball field, and tennis courts. Since schools are closed for the summer, we see several families at the park.
Mill Pond
Close to Victoria Park is the Mill Pond Park, which features the Mill Pond, a man-made freshwater reservoir. The pond powered a mill when early settlers arrived in Milton, Ontario. We stroll along a trail surrounding the pond. Two girls are feeding some nuts to a gaggle of Canadian geese. As we walk further, we spot a squirrel that freezes on seeing us. We continue our walk and come across a gazebo where locals are fishing. The loop trail around Mill Pond is beautiful, and another plus point is its accessibility to Milton Downtown.
Canadian Geese and Squirrel at Mill Pond, Milton
Milton Downton Main Street
We next head towards Milton’s Downtown Main Street, which features several historical buildings, tastefully decorated shops, and restaurants. First up is the brick red Milton Post Office with a clock tower, followed by the Old Milton Town Hall, which is made in the classic Georgian architecture style. We then spot Grace Anglican Church, reminiscent of a castle. It is closed, but we can see the stained-glass windows from the outside. We turn back on Main Street and then walk towards the current Milton Town Hall. We see a wall with the word ‘MILTON’ painted in vibrant colours. It adds to the character of the town and shows the locals are proud of their town. En route, we pass two more churches- Knox Milton Presbyterian Church and St. Paul’s United Church.
Top- Knox Milton Presbyterian Church Bottom St. Paul’s United Church.
Milton Town Hall
The Milton Town Hall, built in 1854, houses the Mayor’s Chambers and other offices. Designed in the Baronial Gothic Architecture style, the impressive heritage building was previously the Historic County Courthouse and County Jail.
Victoria Park, Milton, Ontario
Right opposite the Milton Town Hall is Victoria Park, built in 1887 and dedicated to Queen Victoria. Victoria Park’s most significant structure is the Milton Cenotaph in memory of soldiers who served during the World Wars and the Korean War. Nearby are a WWI German Field Gun, a Gazebo, picnic tables and a children’s play area. As we stroll through the park, we spot a giant bell, which was originally the Town Bell. It was hung in the original town hall between 1893 and 1985. The Victorian Park, with its rich history, manicured lawns, and historical monuments, is the pride of Milton.
Gazebo and WWI German Field Gun at Victoria Park
After exploring the town of Milton, we decided to have lunch at a restaurant near Milton Leisure Centre and then head to Kelso to see the lavender farms and conservation area.
Kelso Lavender Farms
Come summer, and you can see thousands of lavenders bloom on farms near Ontario. From June to late July, these fragrant lavender flowers are a must-see. We arrive at four in the evening at Kelso Lavender Farms, which boasts twenty-five thousand lavender plants. After registration, we stroll through the farm, where we are greeted by rows of lavender, some in pastels while others in vibrant, dark shades. Their unmistakable fragrance is soothing and refreshing, even as the sun shines brightly over us.
There are carefully curated photo opportunities, including a piano, heart-shaped sofas with wreaths, carriages, photo frames, and more. We see scores of youngsters posing, pouting, and clicking selfies with the lavender. Girlfriends and wives dressed in matching lavender-coloured outfits are instructing their better halves to get the right pic to post on social media platforms for maximum likes and shares. During our various travel explorations, Rafiq and I are usually more interested in taking pictures of the monuments and landmarks rather than ourselves. But this time around, we behaved like Gen Z and played along, clicking pictures of ourselves with the lavender.
Photo Frame Photo Opportunity on Kelso Lavender Farms
Photo Opportunities at Kelso Lavender Farms
Time ticks, and after two hours, we head to the reception area of the farm, where a shop sells lavender-infused products, including essential oils, pillows, candles, scent bundles, and more. The lavender ice cream is a must-try and will surely cool you off after all that posing and running in the lavender farms.
Shop selling Lavender Ice-cream and Products
Springridge Farm
After visiting the lavender farms, we drive to Springridge Farm —a nineteenth-century barn where one can pick fruit, go on wagon rides, feed the animals, and experience farm life. They even sell fresh, local produce, home-cooked meals, gifts, and décor items. Unfortunately, it’s closed for the day. We click some pictures and drive to our next destination- Kelso Conservation Area.
Kelso Conservation Area
We purchase entry tickets and drive to the parking lot. Since it’s a bright sunny day and schools are shut for the summer, scores of families are picnicking. There are more than twenty different picnic and camp sites at Kelso Conservation Area, which tourists throng throughout the year. In the winter, Kelso’s Glen Eden Ski Area transforms into a ski and snowboard hill. We see the chairlifts from a distance that take skiers up the mountain. In autumn, the same chairlifts provide for a picturesque ride to admire the spectacular warm fall colours of the trees.
We stroll down to the lake, where we see scores of locals enjoying an evening at the beach. From making barbecues to playing ball or just relaxing, everyone seems to be having a good time. An elder sibling is teaching her younger sister to canoe on the lake, while others are kayaking, paddleboarding, and still others are swimming. For the convenience of visitors, there are washrooms, water fountains, and a refreshment kiosk that sells snacks and drinks. We pick some coffee and nachos with cheese dips and relax on the beach overlooking the lake. It’s hard to believe that the Kesko Lake is an artificial reservoir. Kelso Conservation Area is situated on the Niagara Escarpment and is surrounded by beautiful green woods, featuring over 16 km of biking and hiking trails. It is also popular for bird watching and nature photography.
Retail and Snacks and Visitor Centre Kelso Conservation Area
Other Things to Do in Milton and Kelso, Ontario
There are several other attractions in Milton and Kelso. This travelogue was our account of all that we had seen in Milton, Ontario. There are several conservation areas, including Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls, and Crawford Lake Conservation Areas. Milton Farmer’s Market runs on Saturday Mornings from May to October. You can visit the Halton County Radial Railway Museum if you like trains and engines, or Woodbine Mohawk Park if you’re a fan of horse racing.
Final Word on Milton and Kelso, Ontario
Our one-day trip to Milton and Kelso was a perfect blend of history, heritage and natural beauty. From wandering the streets of Milton Downtown, its parks and churches, to strolling in lavender farms and ending the day at Kelso Conservation Area, this Ontario gem surprised us at every turn. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a die-hard romantic at heart, Milton and Kelso have something for everyone.
GETTING THERE
Nearest Airport to Milton:
Pearson Airport in Toronto is the nearest airport with connectivity to major cities around Canada, the US, and other international destinations. From Toronto, you can drive or to take the GO Train to Milton and Kelso.
Distances: Downtown Toronto to Milton: 55 km or 50-60 minutes approx. Milton- Kelso: 9 km or 11 minutes
Where to stay: You can do a net search for hotels depending on your budget and comfort level. We did not stay in Milton or Kelso, but we made a day trip from Toronto.
Lavender Farms Tip:
Prebook online tickets to Lavender Farms as you will save some dollars. The Kelso Lavender Farms Tickets cost us $17 each online, while on-the-spot tickets were for $20 each. There are two-hour time slots for lavender farms. Make sure you check the weather before visiting the lavender farms. A sunny day ensures you get good pics on lavender farms. Kelso Conservation Area tickets at the gate cost us $12 plus taxes, while online tickets are for $10.50 plus taxes.